Audi CEO Markus Duesmann revealed at the firm’s Annual Press Convention 2021 in March 2021 that future fashions for the four-ringed model embody an Audi Q6 e-Tron. Duesmann then disclosed the automotive’s manufacturing location and manufacturing timeline. Timelines have since been modified, and we’ve defined that within the Manufacturing part at the finish of the story.
Rewinding to February 2019, Porsche introduced that the Macan, its best-selling mannequin worldwide, would go all-electric when it strikes its subsequent era. A ‘cheaper’ Audi different with a definite prime hat on its underpinning can be the Audi Q6 e-Tron.
Let’s take a look at what we all know thus far about this future Audi electrical automotive.
Design
Spy footage revealed on March 1, 2021, that testing of the Audi Q6 e-Tron on public roads has begun. They recommend that it could appear like an even bigger model of the Audi This autumn e-Tron, similar to the China-only Q5 e-Tron that shares the MEB platform with the China-only ID.6 SUV from the mainstream sister model Volkswagen.
Spy footage recommends that the Audi Q6 e-Tron will probably be curvier than the e-Tron SUV, which can make it look a wee bit softer. They clearly present a wider quarter glass measurement on the upcoming mannequin, which implies that rear-seat passengers will get a higher sense of area and extra pure gentle.
The Q6 e-Tron would function as a contemporary SUV design with an elegantly dominating entrance fascia, raked A-pillars, a swiftly sloping roofline, and a hunched rear part. Just like the e-Tron GT, a fake Singleframe would conceal most of the sensors for driver help techniques on the entrance. Different highlights ought to embody wedge-shaped slim Matrix LED headlights, a basic SUV-style straight beltline, and LED tail lamps linked by a slender gentle strip.
A spy shot from carscoops.com has revealed a fascinating design element. The Q6 e-Tron, not like the current world Audi SUV fashions, has options to break up headlamps. It’s bifurcated right into a wedge-shaped higher half and an individually positioned rectangular decrease half. These may very well be Digital Matrix LED headlights that even permit projecting symbols on the street. A big enclosed Singleframe grille in silver sits between the headlights, and proper under is a purposeful air consumption, which may very well be for cooling the drivetrain, battery, and brakes. We additionally see that there’s no frunk within the Q6 e-Tron.
Anticipate the Audi Q6 e-Tron to function with Digital Matrix LED headlights with customizable gentle signatures, 22-inch wheels, camera-based digital exterior mirrors, and a wind-cheating silhouette that enables a really low drag coefficient of around 0.25 Cd.
Audi Q6 Sportback e-tron
A report from Autocar claims that the Audi Q6 e-Tron and Audi Q6 Sportback e-Tron can have smaller dimensions in comparison with the Audi e-Tron and Audi e-Tron Sportback, respectively. Highway testing of the coupe model has begun, as seen in spy footage of Motor1 launched on July 12, 2022. The Q6 Sportback would have a softer roof that drops into steeply raked D-pillars. It might sit decrease and can obtain a greater drag coefficient worth (probably 0.25 Cd or decrease). The higher aerodynamics could permit a variety longer by 5-8 miles (WLTP).
The coupe-style roofline of the Sportback model would cut back headroom and cargo quantity by as much as 5 %. Within the e-Tron’s case, the SUV model gives 39.8 inches of headroom within the entrance and 38.6 inches of headroom within the rear. The identical dimensions of the Sportback model are 38.1 inches and 37.9 inches, respectively. Equally, whereas the SUV gives a baggage capability of 28.5 cubic ft (second-row seats up)/57.0 cubic ft (second-row seats down), the Sportback model gives a baggage area of 27.2 cubic ft (second-row seats up)/54.5 cubic ft (second-row seats down).
Lengthy-wheelbase variations
Based on a publicly issued Chinese language authorities doc, FAW-Audi will launch a Q6L e-Tron, a Q6L e-Tron Sportback, and an E6L Lim (Limousine) in China. We don’t perceive the ‘L’ suffix within the names, however historically that has meant a long-wheelbase model. Audi gives most of its high-volume SUVs and sedans in China a lengthened wheelbase. That custom started with the A6 in 1999, as Chinese language prospects love the rear seat.
Audi SQ6 & Audi RS Q6
On the efficiency facet, an Audi RS Q6 e-Tron is reportedly within the pipeline and will come completely in a configuration packing extra highly effective and torquier entrance and rear motors, the biggest battery pack, a stiffened suspension, lighter wheels, and grippier tires. With regenerative braking obtainable, Audi may not go overboard on friction brakes, nevertheless, it nonetheless could supply a brand-new braking system.
Whereas engineers develop the RS Q6 e-Tron (and its Sportback model), Audi’s authorized staff is gearing as much as safe rights to its identity throughout the globe. It has efficiently registered the ‘RSQ6’ trademark on the Deutsches Patent- und Markenamt (German Patent and Trademark Workplace). It’s within the means of getting the identical phrase registered as a trademark at WIPO.
In December 2021, Auto Categorical journal carried a report on the 2 particular variants of the Audi Q6 e-Tron, particularly the Audi SQ6 and Audi RS Q6. The British publication claims that Audi plans to launch an SQ6 quickly after the Q6, and the extra performance-focused RS variant 12 months later. The Q6 Sportback line may induct the warmer variants, put in with identical motors and battery packs. As Audi has not provided an RS Q5/Q5 Sportback, it will likely be the primary RS SUV within the section. Particular particulars concerning the variants are anticipated to be revealed this yr.
On March 26, 2022, InsideEVs printed spy footage of the RS Q6 e-Tron in testing. The prototype noticed appeared to have an extra aggressive decrease in entrance fascia with air intakes paying homage to present RS fashions. One other signal of the prototype being an RS mannequin was it featured purple brake calipers. With regenerative braking additionally obtainable, the RS Q6 e-Tron could not rely as a lot on mechanical brakes as ICE RS fashions, therefore the smaller rotors.
Specs
PPE Structure
Video Supply: youtube.com/Audi Japan
The following-gen Porsche Macan and the Audi Q6 e-Tron will journey on a brand new devoted BEV platform referred to as Premium Platform Electrical (PPE) or ‘PPE-Architektur’ in German. Co-developed by Porsche and Audi, the PPE will underpin a number of future fashions for the 2 manufacturers together with the A6 e-Tron, A6 e-Tron Avant, and the next-gen Porsche Cayenne.
Suspension
The Q6 e-Tron might function as a five-link axle within the entrance and a multi-link axle within the rear. An air suspension with adaptive dampers may very well be obtainable as a choice in the usual Q6, however, within the RS variant, it may very well be a typical function.
Powertrain
Audi says that the PPE is just like the MEB, nevertheless, it permits higher efficiency parameters with increased output. A rear-mounted electrical motor is commonplace, whereas high-end configurations can get a second electrical motor (PSM or ASM) on the entrance axle for AWD.
The PPE platform underpinning the Audi Q6 e-Tron means the mannequin’s available in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations, with the latter that includes a further motor mounted on the entrance. Excessive-performance fashions might do the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) dash in about 4 seconds.
Battery
The PPE will borrow one of the best battery system components from the MEB (utilized by the VW ID. collection and This autumn) and J1 (helps the Porsche Taycan household). It is going to have a compact design and comprise 12 modules consisting of prismatic cells. The MEB battery system additionally has 12 modules, however with a choice of pouch cells. Commonality with the J1 battery system will embody 800 nominal voltage, as much as 475 kW of efficiency output, 270 kW of most charging energy, and high-tech thermal administration. The Q6 e-Tron will possibly help the utmost supported DC charging energy its platform permits (270 kW).
A technical side distinctive to the PPE battery system is the chance to realize a better vitality content material of as much as 100 kWh (gross). For reference, the MEB and J1 battery techniques max out at 82 kWh (gross) and 93 kWh (gross), respectively.
Audi expects the A6 e-Tron to realize a variety of greater than 700 km (435 miles)* with it, and so, count on the taller Q6 e-Tron to be able to not less than 600 km (373 miles)*. The lower-end configurations might have a smaller battery pack that gives around 450 km (280 miles) of vary*. The BMW iX can obtain a variety of 630 km (391 miles)* with a 111.5 kWh (gross) battery pack and 426 km (265 miles)* with a 76.6 kWh (gross) battery pack.
In China, based on the Chinese language authorities doc we talked about within the Design part, FAW-Audi will supply the Q6L e-Tron and Q6L e-Tron Sportback with 83 kWh and 100 kWh battery packs. The 83 kWh battery pack will probably be obtainable in a rear-wheel drive variant, which might have just one motor. The 100 kWh battery pack will probably be obtainable in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants. The latter might possibly sport motors on every axle. Quick-charging the battery packs from 5 to 80% SoC will take lower than 25 minutes.
Inside & Options
Because of the devoted EV platform, the Q6 e-Tron will supply an extremely spacious cabin. Thus, regardless of the smaller dimensions, the SUV model might supply inside and cargo areas just like the Audi Q7.
Audi has stated that the low-floor PPE platform-based fashions will supply a higher inside size even with barely shorter exterior dimensions and overhangs in comparison with MLB platform vehicles. The corporate has confirmed that it’s doable to package deal PPE fashions with a plethora of high-end options, together with torque vectoring, all-wheel steering, and air suspension.
Pill-style touchscreen
An inside spy shot from Motor1 has revealed that the Q6 e-Tron will function as a big floating touchscreen infotainment system that appears visibly totally different from that of different current Audi EVs just like the This autumn e-Tron and Q5 e-Tron. Free-standing central shows are the most recent development, and lots of automakers are switching to this format from dashboard-integrated panels throughout their line-up. The Q6 e-Tron’s tablet-style central show is just not that totally different from the structure hinted at by the A6 e-Tron’s sketches and seems to be a next-gen Audi design function.
Within the cabin, Audi could equip the Q6 e-Tron with options like an augmented actuality head-up show (AR HUD), high-res, customizable digital instrument cluster, high-res touchscreen infotainment system with 5G connectivity, USB-C ports, and Audi telephone field.
Audi gives present fashions with each non-compulsory option and has packages. Nonetheless, starting with the PPE platform fashions, the corporate plans to transition from single-choice to non-compulsory packages. Because of this, count on fewer single choices for patrons to choose from on the Q6 e-Tron.
E³ 1.2 software program
Volkswagen Group confirmed throughout the New Auto technique announcement on July 13, 2021, that the Audi Q6 e-Tron will function as a new-generation infotainment system based mostly on Google’s Android Automotive. Nonetheless, this infotainment system can have a third-party app retailer, not Google’s Play Retailer.
In 2023, CARIAD will launch the premium software program stack 1.2 with launches of the electrical Porsche Macan and the Audi Q6 e-tron. It is going to carry a very new expertise to Audi and Porsche autos. This platform will function a brand new unified infotainment platform based mostly on Android Automotive and the third-party app retailer, offering you of the entry to your favourite leisure and messaging apps. With 1.2, the primary autos will probably be able to migrate to the all-new Volkswagen Automotive Cloud.
Dirk Hilgenberg, CEO, CARIAD (Volkswagen Group New Auto technique)
A report from mobiFlip, a German publication that spoke to the corporate after the occasion, means that it doesn’t need this infotainment system to have any seen references to Google. It is going to use the AOSP (Android Open Supply Challenge) model of the Android Automotive OS, which is license-free but excludes the Play Retailer. The Porsche Macan electrical may also get an infotainment system with an Android Automotive OS-based software program. Nonetheless, the interfaces on each technique might look virtually totally different.
Steering wheel & audio system
The Q6 e-Tron ought to function with the corporate’s new-era steering wheel that has a flattened prime and backside. The all-new wheel has contact screens and gives capacitive grip recognition or hands-on detection. Its contact screens carry a high-gloss black-panel look with back-lit operating areas, however, the screens are nearly invisible when the features are inactive. The motive force can carry out 18 totally different features from the steering wheel, and that too straight through its contact screens.
Audi collaborated with premium audio product firm Sonos for the sound system of the This autumn e-Tron. It might use the identical partnership to supply premium aural expertise within the Q6 e-Tron.
Charging Community
Audi is constructing an Excessive Energy Charging community consisting of Audi charging hubs to help its EV offensive as luxurious automotive homeowners demand premium gross sales and possession expertise. The corporate is growing particular charging stations to woo its EV prospects.
Audi EV prospects can reserve their charging spot prematurely and comfortably loosen up in a close-by lounge space whereas their EV costs are up. With as much as 320 kW of charging output obtainable, it could take a bit longer than an espresso break to organize the Audi electrical automotive for the remainder of the journey. The e-Tron GT, for instance, can settle for charging at as much as 270 kW, taking roughly 23 minutes to cost the automotive’s battery from 5 to 80%.
Nuremberg & Zurich pilot packages
The primary Audi charging hub opened on the Nuremberg Exhibition Heart in Germany in December 2021. Audi makes the charging hubs with versatile container cubes, and it may get these assembled and disassembled in a number of days. The corporate employs used and processed lithium-ion batteries to retail vitality for charging EVs. These are second-life batteries coming from dismantled improvement autos.
At the Audi Annual Media Convention 2022, Duesmann stated that the pilot in Nuremberg was a really profitable beginning. Audi has seen greater than 2,000 charging classes since December 2021, and prospects are utilizing all of the obtainable slots on the website, the CEO stated. With this idea, the corporate is extending the utilization of its EV battery packs and likewise lowering the load on the grid. The corporate will open its second charging hub in Zurich, with 4 charging terminals that supply high-power chargers with the most energy output of 320 kW.
The idea is that we provide fast charging in an space near the town and the second pilot is to be established in Zurich. We’re buffering vitality in second-life batteries – used batteries, and this implies we don’t pose loads of burden on the grid and might supply loads of charging energy. In Zurich there will probably be 4 terminals for charging and not using a lounge and as much as a most 320 kilowatts charging energy.
Markus Duesmann, CEO, Audi (Annual Media Convention 2022 on March 17, 2022)
Plug & Cost
European Q6 e-Tron prospects will profit from IONITY’s widespread and ever-expanding EV charging community. IONITY, a three-way partnership between BMW Group, Ford, Hyundai Motor Group, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen Group, plans to take a position of around EUR 700 million to open greater than 5,000 fast-charging factors in Europe by 2025. It is going to set up EV chargers providing DC charging at as much as 350 kW in additional than 1,000 areas. Presently, IONITY has 1,841 350 kW chargers in 424 areas in Europe.
Audi now gives a Plug & Cost function in its EVs, however completely on the IONITY community. Clients mustn’t authenticate with an RFID card or an app. The corporate will possibly supply plug & cost function within the Q6 e-Tron proper from launch, maybe even in North America.
Manufacturing
The Audi Q6 e-Tron will enter manufacturing in Ingolstadt, Germany, within the second half of 2023. On November 12, 2021, Peter Mosch, Chairman of the Basic Works Council of Audi, advised Donaukurier that the Q6 e-Tron will probably be Ingolstadt’s first EV “from 2023.” This manufacturing website “is predicted” to solely manufacture EVs from 2028, Mosch added. On December 18, 2021, citing an Audi spokeswoman, Der Spiegel additionally reported that this manufacturing website will make solely EVs from 2028.
In an interview with Automobilwoche in July 2022, Gerd Walker, BoM Member accountable for Manufacturing and Logistics, Audi, issued a replacement for Q6 e-Tron manufacturing. He reaffirmed that the Audi Ingolstadt plant will manufacture the Q6 e-Tron and revealed that pre-series manufacturing of the upcoming electrical SUV had begun. Previous to that, on July 10, 2022, Automobilwoche reported that collection manufacturing (the vehicles that can go to prospects) will begin in September 2023.
The Q6 e-Tron would be the first mannequin for Audi to make use of the second-generation metal coil lubrication Prelube II. Whereas 1 gram of oil is required to be utilized over each sq. meter of sheet metallic with the traditional lubrication Prelube I, 0.7 g of oil is required for a similar with the brand new Prelube II, and that’s with virtually equivalent processing parameters. The second-gen oil class enhances Audi’s sustainable manufacturing measures for making all manufacturing amenities carbon-neutral by 2025. It is going to considerably scale back the lubricant required to guard metal from corrosion and to machine the metallic sheets within the press retailers of Ingolstadt, the place the automotive will probably be assembled.
Chinese language manufacturing
The Audi Q6 e-Tron is more likely to see Chinese language manufacturing as properly to serve the home market. The FAW-Volkswagen JV firm makes the Audi e-Tron alongside ICE and plug-in hybrid Audi fashions at its Changchun plant that’s been operational since 1991. In October 2020, Audi and FAW established a three-way partnership firm referred to as Audi FAW New Power Car Co., Ltd. This three-way partnership firm plans to assemble a CO2-neutral manufacturing unit for fully-electric Audi fashions based mostly on the PPE platform in Changchun by the top of 2024.
Audi FAW New Power Car Co., Ltd. will possibly manufacture the Q6 e-Tron (with a protracted wheelbase) for home gross sales at its Changchun manufacturing unit. The annual manufacturing capability of this plant will probably be 150,000 items. The brand new three-way partnership firm has locked three EVs for manufacturing on the new facility, beginning with the Q6 e-Tron electrical SUV and the A6 L e-Tron/Audi E6 L electrical sedan.
From late 2024 on, we are going to regionally produce the primary fashions based mostly on the PPE platform, along with our accomplice FAW. The primary to be launched will probably be three fashions from the Audi A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron collection.
Markus Duesmann, CEO, Audi (Annual Media Convention 2022 on March 17, 2022)
Launch date
The Audi Q6 e-Tron might go on sale in direction of the top of the subsequent yr if manufacturing begins deliberately in September 2023. On June 7, 2022, Handelsblatt reported that CARIAD is operating late with the event of assorted packages. Furthermore, these packages usually are not appropriate with one another and their high quality is lower than the anticipated requirements. Based on the Automobilwoche report printed on July 10, 2022, the issues at CARIAD might postpone the launch of the Q6 e-Tron.
Throughout Volkswagen Group’s Q1 2022 investor and analyst convention name in Might 2022 (pay attention on YouTube), CEO Dr. Herbert Diess stated that E3 1.2 is “massively advanced,” greater than E3 1.1 was. He stated that E3 1.2 will proceed to be a problem within the subsequent months. Nonetheless, earlier throughout the name, he additionally stated that Volkswagen Group is assured about conducting the launch of EVs with E3 1.2 “as deliberate” in 2023.
It’s (E3 1.2 is) extra advanced than 1.1 was, way more advanced, however I can inform you that the groups are actually targeted on the launches and we’re assured that we will launch the vehicles as deliberate subsequent years.
Dr. Herbert Diess, CEO, Volkswagen Group (Investor and Analyst Convention Name Q1 2022 on Might 4, 2022)
In April 2021, within the press launch detailing the A6 e-Tron idea, Audi stated it plans to unveil its first PPE platform manufacturing mannequin within the second half of 2022. In all likeliness, it was speaking concerning the Q6 e-Tron. Nonetheless, the corporate has needed to postpone the disclosure to 2023. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the semiconductor chip scarcity severely affected the auto business. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine worsened provide chain points for European automakers, with Volkswagen Group being no exception.
The primary Audi manufacturing autos constructed on the PPE platform will probably be successively unveiled beginning in 2023.
Audi confirming the delay within the PPE platform manufacturing mannequin unveil in March 2022
Retail technique
The Q6 e-Tron will possibly be obtainable to buy straight from Audi in European markets. Volkswagen began switching to the company mannequin in 2020, and now, Audi plans to undertake this gross sales mannequin, an earlier report from Automobilwoche.
Audi could undertake the company mannequin in Germany, the UK, Sweden, France, Italy, Spain, Eire, and Poland initially. It might finalize the associated negotiations with retail companions this yr. The Q6 e-Tron launch might mark the beginning of the brand new gross sales mannequin at Audi.
The function of the vendor modifications to a gross sales agent underneath the company gross sales mannequin. The sellers do have involvement within the gross sales course, and so they obtain the identical fee and bonus as within the showroom enterprise, however, the firm handles the worth negotiations. The vendor doesn’t must finance the autos prematurely, and the corporate bears the stock and the prices related to showroom autos.
Audi isn’t earning money on the e-Tron fashions presently, however that might change by the point it launches the Q6 e-Tron. Duesmann has advised Der Spiegel (through QuattroDaily) that e-Tron fashions will begin producing revenue in three years. With battery costs lowering yr after yr, increased economies of scale with extra product launches, an increase in EV demand in core markets, and different measures/elements similar to incentives, the corporate might carry down the price of e-Tron fashions considerably by the center of the last decade. Presently, the e-Tron and e-Tron Sportback can be found worldwide, whereas the e-Tron GT, This autumn e-Tron, and This autumn Sportback e-Tron have begun launching globally.
EV-only launches from Audi beginning in 2026
In March 2021, Audi stated that it plans to introduce around 20 pure electrical fashions by 2025. It plans to take a position of EUR 10 billion in electromobility and EUR 3 billion in digitalization by 2025 and obtain cumulative gross sales of seven million items from PPE platform-based EVs by 2030. Citing Duesmann, a Bloomberg report stated in April 2021 that Audi sees EVs occupying half of the worldwide premium automotive market by 2030.
At the Berlin local weather convention on June 22, 2021, Duesmann introduced that Audi is accelerating the transition to zero-emission mobility. The corporate plans to place its remaining all-new combustion engine mannequin into manufacturing in 4 years. Beginning in 2026, it’ll launch solely pure electrical fashions, with the present combustion automobile vary operating alongside.
The following step is available in 2033 when Audi desires to cease manufacturing inner combustion engines. Nonetheless, in China, a rustic that’s main EV adoption worldwide and more likely to outpace all different main auto markets by way of the last decade, the corporate sees continued demand for fashions with combustion engines. So, it doesn’t rule out the potential of sourcing combustion engines regionally there past 2033.
Audi Q6 e-Tron FAQs
What’s the Audi Q6 e-Tron launch date?
The all-electric Q6 ought to launch for patrons within the second half of 2023.
Which fashions will the Audi Q6 e-Tron compete with?
What would be the Audi Q6 e-Tron worth?
The Audi Q6 e-Tron might begin between $70,000-80,000 within the USA.
Featured picture: Heartfelt because of our supporter and ace photographer Wilco Blok for sharing spy pictures of the Q6 e-Tron with TopElectricSUV!
With a Grasp’s Diploma in Enterprise Administration & Administration, I’ve been working as a Worldwide Automotive Information Editor since 2014, and have gained a wealth of data and perception into hybrid and electrical autos.
